Truck bed extender

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary load supporting apparatus for a vehicle having a front and a rear and a left and right sidewall, comprising: a first base mounted to said left sidewall and extending upward therefrom to a desired height, between six inches and 50 inches above said left sidewall; a second base mounted to said right sidewall and extending upward therefrom to a desired height, between six inches and 50 inches above said right sidewall; a first framework mounted to said first base and extending rearward therefrom away from the left sidewall; a second framework mounted to said second base and extending rearward therefrom away from the right sidewall; a transom extending from the first framework to the second framework rearward from the rear. A third support point is defined by the angle between the transom and the truck bed by the tailgate of the truck so that the transom does not need to take all of the support of the load.

PRIORITY

[0001] This patent is a continuation in part of Provisional Patent:60/114,869 Filed Jan. 6, 1999, and Utility Patent 09/469,442 Filed Dec.21, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention pertains to truck bed extending devices. Moreparticularly the invention describes an extension attachable to the rearof a truck allowing the weight of an article carried to be borne by theextended transom and the top of the truck tailgate.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] The Lowe U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,583 shows a rack system fittingabove the truck and in front of the tailgate. Loads may be carried abovethe vehicle. The design suggests that the rack itself is to support theweight independently. While it folds, it does not easily assemble orbreak down to fit within a tool box nor does it fit within the “StakeSocket” of the truck.

[0006] The Cumbie U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,102 shows a load bearing extensionrequiring a trailer hitch. A hook assembly does not support the unitwhich uses the receiver hitch 42-44-48 for support but does prevent theunit from falling. The unit is designed to extend the bed, but does notutilize the top of the tailgate or a cushion thereon to provide addedsupport.

[0007] The Lemajeur U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,259 shows a rack to supportloads above a bed. It does not extend the length of the bed, but mayextend the width. While it fits within specialized brackets 93 it has acomplex assembly (FIG. 2) and does not use the top of the tailgate or“Stake Socket” of the truck. While it folds, the Johnson U.S. Pat. No.5,678,743 functions similarly to Cumbie, although the height of the loadis reduced. This construction is also not easily folded or cross-braced,and does not use the tailgate as a support.

[0008] The Barden U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,909 shows a bracket system besideand not utilizing the bed. Milstead U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,265 is similarlydesigned.

[0009] The Lund U.S. Pat. No. 2,678,150 uses the “Stake Socket” of thetruck to support a rack similar to Barden and Milstead; ; but neither ofthese three (3) utilizes the bed but instead create an auxiliary racksystem. They also fail to use the tailgate top for support.

[0010] The Hunt U.S. Pat. No. 2,680,544 shows another folding extensionrack system as does Moore U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,951.

[0011] The Sexton U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,778 shows a wide, not lengthening,rack system which does not extend the length of the bed for purposes ofcarrying a load from the bed and beyond and teaches away from thatconcept.

[0012] The DeFreza U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,046 utilizes elongated verticalmembers fitting within tubular receiving openings in the truck as doesthe '989 Patent, FIG. 10. The DeFreza U.S. Patent also shows a raisedrack system which does not provide a support beyond the vehicle bed anddoes not utilize the tailgate for support. It does collapse, but not inthe same manner disclosed.

[0013] The Schmeets U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,655 shows a foldable table butfails to add to the art of the rack systems.

[0014] The Blondo U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,076 is merely an example of a bikerack which is prior art only in so far as it shows a folding racksystem.

[0015] The Robertson U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,989 shows a cover whichsupports a rack above the bed, but necessarily avoids using the bed.

[0016] None of the prior art utilized the top of the tailgate as well asthe extension or as well as an extended surface to provide a support.

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] This invention comprises a support for a member from the truckbed to the top of the tailgate of the truck bed.

[0018] Generally, the invention may be described as follows:

[0019] An auxiliary load supporting apparatus for a vehicle having afront and a rear and a left and right sidewall, comprising:

[0020] a first base mounted to said left sidewall and extending upwardto a desired height, between six inches and 50 inches above said leftsidewall;

[0021] a second base mounted to said right sidewall and extending upwardtherefrom to a desired height, between six inches and 50 inches abovesaid right sidewall;

[0022] a first framework mounted to said first base and extendingrearward away from the left sidewall;

[0023] a second framework mounted to said second base and extendingrearward therefrom away from the right sidewall;

[0024] a transom extending from the first framework to the secondframework rearward from the rear.

[0025] The rise from the top of the tail gate or an extension mounted onthe top of the tailgate to the top of the transom is such that a planefrom a predetermined stop position plate 43 along the truck bed to thetransom would intersect the top of the tailgate or the top of anextension of the top of the tailgate.

[0026] Hence, there are several advantages not present in the prior artin the invention disclosed.

[0027] (1) It utilizes the vehicle bed to hold the load beyond the bedat an angle which allows the load to be partially supported against thetop of the tailgate or a cushion on top of the tailgate but the tailgatemay be lowered when the loads are reduced (as when parked).

[0028] (2) The cross-bracing is easily installed and replaced fordifferent width vehicles.

[0029] (3) The device is solely supportable by the Stake Socket.

[0030] (4) The length of the bed is, extended without a supportextension to the truck bed attached to a hitch.

[0031] (5) The device is easily disassembled and foldable within atoolbox.

[0032] These and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome better understood hereinafter from a consideration of thespecification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming partthereof, and in which like numerals correspond to parts throughout theseveral views of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of thepresent invention, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichlike parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

[0034]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the truck bed extender.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows a detail of the left support.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the detail shown in FIG. 2.

[0037]FIG. 4 shows one version of the transom.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows a cross section from FIG. 4.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows an alternate of the transom shown in FIG. 4.

[0040]FIG. 7 shows a detail of the folded cross-bar.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows an assembled product.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of a cover for the top of thetailgate.

[0043]FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of a bracing arm.

[0044]FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the main support through the11-11 axis.

[0045]FIG. 12 shows a cross section through the 12-12 axis of FIG. 6b.

[0046]FIG. 13 shows a cross section through the 13-13 axis of FIG. 6a.

[0047]FIG. 14 shows is a cut-a-way view of the supporting faces of analternative design of the truck bed extender shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0048] As can best be seen in FIG. 1, a typical truck for which thiswould be used has a truck bed having a left side panel 27 and a rightside panel 28 which hold a tailgate 26. Within these is the truck bed29.

[0049] Both the left side panel 27 and the right side panel 28 define aside wall chamber 23 which is a small chamber designed to receive a rackwhich can be mounted on most model trucks.

[0050] Between the chamber 23 and very rear of the truck is the back 22of the side wall.

[0051] The present invention is a rack designed to work off of and fitwithin the side wall chamber 23 so that lumber, ladders or other longequipment may be carried on a tailgate which is not long enough toaccommodate the load in the truck bed 29.

[0052] The load is elevated to the height of the top 35 of the tailgate26. In this way, the load is supported by the truck bed 29, the top 35of the tailgate 26 and by the contact wall 55 of the top cross bar 3.

[0053] A left frame 1 and right frame 2 support the top and bottom crossbars 3 and 4. FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the right frame 2 showinga slanting arm 16 connecting a low parallel arm 21 to a high parallelarm 31. The low parallel arm 21 and high parallel arm 31 are alsoattached to the main support 17 on their other end. The top cross bar 3,which acts as a transom for supporting the load, is above a bottom crossbar 4 which helps to maintain the spacing. The top cross bar 3 issupported on either side by the high parallel arms 31 and the bottomcross bar 4 is supported on either end to the slanting arm 16.

[0054] In the preferred embodiment there is a left frame member 1 andright frame member 2 a top cross bar 3 and a bottom cross bar 4 whichtogether form the entire rack. The separation of these parts, describedin more detail below allows the rack to be easily assembled and to bebroken down so that it may be easily stored and transported.

[0055]FIG. 3 shows how the main support 17 defines high square pegs 12and low square pegs 15 to releasably receive the top cross bar 3 andbottom cross bar 4 respectively. Holes 12 and 14 in the pegs 12 and 15serve to receive pins which pins also pass through the overlapingportion of the top and bottom cross bars 3 and 4 to secure the frames inplace.

[0056]FIGS. 4 and 5 and 10 and 11 along with alternative embodiments 6 aand 6 b show how similar pegs 12 a and 15 a in the slanting arm 16receive openings 9 in the top and bottom cross bars 3 and 4. Pins may gothrough the openings 8 in the cross bar for this purpose. In this way,by disassembling the pegs from the bars, the entire unit may be foldedin a small area, preferably the size of a tool box, for storage andshipping.

[0057] As can best be seen by reference to FIG. 2, the frame iscomprised of a main support 17 which has an insertion end 25 and whichmay have a pad 32. The pad 32 is the same shape and approximately thesame diameter as the side wall chamber 23 in the top 22 of the rightside wall 28 so that when the insertion end 25 is inserted into the sidewall chamber 23 there is a tight fit. At the bottom of the insertion end25 is a bottom bolt 18 which may have bolt padding 19 which fits into areduced diameter opening 24 at the bottom of the side wall chamber 23.These openings can be better seen in the cut away view shown in FIG. 14.

[0058] The low parallel arm 21 may have a pad 20 to cushion theinterface with the top of the side panels 27 and 28.

[0059] The device may be sold with differing size pads 32 and 19 so thatthe diameters of the different pads 32 and 19 correspond to differentdiameter openings 23 and 24 in different trucks. As is described in moredetail below, the length of the cross bars 3 and 4 may also beadjustable to the same purpose.

[0060] As can be seen by reference to FIG. 4, the cross bars 3 in thepreferred embodiment pivot around pivot 5 connecting brace 34 topivoting section 6. When raised, pivoting section 6 is held in placeagainst the top 33 of brace 34 as shown in FIG. 4. However, the crossbar 3 may be folded at the pivot point 5 so that the bottom of section 6is folded against the bottom of section 30 of the cross bar. This isshown in FIG. 7.

[0061] In order to further secure the position of the main support 17within the side wall chamber 23 there is a bottom bolt 18 which may alsohave padding 19 which serves to secure the position of the frame member.The left frame and the right frame are identical in structure exceptthat square pegs 12 and 15 are on opposite sides so that they may fitwithin the opening 9 in the top and bottom cross bars 3 and 4respectively.

[0062] Attached near the top of the main support 17 is a high parallelarm 31 and at the bottom is a low parallel arm 21. Since a portion ofthe low parallel arm 21 fits over the back 22 of the side wall there isa pad 20 to cushion the low parallel arm. The low parallel arm 21 isshorter than the high parallel arm 31 and a slanting arm 16 connects thetwo. On the left frame member there are top pegs 12 and bottom pegs 15which face a top peg 12 and a bottom peg 15 on the right frame membertoo.

[0063] A side view of these pegs as shown in FIG. 3 shows that squarepegs securing pinholes 13 and 14 are present in the high peg 12 and lowpeg 15 respectively. The cross bars 2 and 3 also have securing pinholes7 and 8. A pin may be put through holes 7 and 13 or 8 and 13 or 7 and 14or 8 and 14 in order to secure the cross bars to the pegs.

[0064] As can best be seen by reference to FIG. 4, the cross bars, maybe identical. The cross bars comprise a non-pivoting arm 30 which haswelded to it receiving brace 34. The top 33 of the receiving brace 34contacts the top 35 of the pivoting arm 6 when pivoting arm 6 is pivotedto be fully extended. This prevents the pivoting arm 6 from pivotingpast the fully extended position but the design allows for the cross barto be folded for easy storage. When extended the cross bar openings 9may be fitted into the pegs 12 or 15 on either frame member 1 and 2 inorder to join the unit together.

[0065] In this way the rack to hold elongated objects on a truck iseasily assembled and prepared.

[0066]FIG. 5 shows a cross section showing the opening 8 for a pin tosecure the cross brace, cross bar or transom 3 to the extension 12.

[0067]FIG. 6b shows an alternative embodiment. In this alternative, thecross bar 3 is extendable in length. To extend the length, a pin isinserted in the first leg open 40 in the first leg 42 and through secondleg opening 41 in the second leg 43. In this way, the device can be usedon trucks of varying lengths. It should be noted that this type ofextension mechanism can be utilized on the cross bar 3 shown in FIG. 4also.

[0068]FIG. 7 shows the assembled truck bed extender outside of thetruck. In this embodiment, the top and bottom cross bars 3 and 4 areassembled from interlocking blocks 57. In this way, the length of one ofthe interlocking blocks or the removal of one the interlocking blockscan change the length of the extender between the left and right sets oftop and bottom parallel arms.

[0069] It is to be noted that the length of the high and low parallelarms 21 and 31 may also be adjustable so that the length of the devicefrom the rear of the vehicle may also be adjusted utilizing the sametypes of adjustments as described above. One of the key elements whichare sought to be utilized by the design is to provide a support from thebottom of the truck bed 29 to the top of the tail gate 26 to thesupporting face of the top cross bar 3.

[0070] As can be seen by reference to FIG. 14 the support may bedescribed as a truck bed extender for holding a load 54 having a bottom,a top and a middle between the bottom and top comprising a three pointsupport means for holding the bottom of the load and middle of the loadat two separate distances away from the bottom of the load for use witha truck having a tailgate having a top at the highest point of thetailgate wherein the three point support means comprises:

[0071] a) a low support located at the truck bed for holding the load atthe truck bed and wherein the low support comprises a plate 53 securedby bolts 60 to the truck bed 29 and wherein the plate comprises at leastone tie means for securing the load relative to the plate and whereinthe tie means further comprises at least one pair of openings 61 definedon either side of the plate 53 for receiving a cord which cord may passover the load to secure the load in place;

[0072] b) a high support comprised of the top cross bar 3 having acontact face 55 which slants to receive the slanting load 54 which alsodefines openings 61 a to receive a cord passing over the load andwherein the face 55 slants at an angle so that a plane drawn from thelow support to the middle support is approximately parallel to and abovethe contact face 55;

[0073] c) a middle support located at the top of the tailgate forsupporting the load at or above the height of the tailgate. While thismiddle support may be the top 35 of the tailgate 26, the support may beenhanced (by increasing the surface area and protecting the top 35 ofthe tailgate) with a slanting ramp 51 on a tailgate extension 50 whichfits over the top 35 of the tailgate 26. FIG. 9 shows a detailed sideview of this extension 50. It can be seen that the extension 50 hassecuring walls 52 on either side of the tailgate 26 a pad 56 cushionsthe tailgate 26. The slanting ramp 51 is at an angle so that a planedrawn from the low support plate 53 to the high support top cross bar 3is approximately parallel to and above the ramp 51.

[0074] In one alternative embodiment, the arm between the two extensionsis comprised of a telescoping arm comprising at least one arm within atlease one second arm so that the length may be adjusted in order toaccommodate different width vehicles.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6b this is comprised of at leasttwo interconnected telescoping arms comprised of an outside arm 30 andan inside arm 6. While these are square in this figure, it is obviousthat these may be of any shape with the increased number of sides beingrelevant for keeping the alignment between the receiving openings oneither end. One or more openings 40 in the receiving arm may receive apin or other fixing means (such as a screw) which would be insertableinto the holes 40(a) in the telescoping inside arm 6.

[0076] The pegs 12 and 15 may be of different diameters to ensure properplacement of the cross bars 3. The number of cross bars 3 may also beincreased or decreased to only one. The peg on the left side and the pegon the right side may be of different size where the allignment of thecross bar 3 was specially desired.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the side wall chamber 23(also known as a stake pocket) and the rearward support 3 is between 24inches and 72 inches. The angle allows for the method of

[0078] 1) Supporting the front of the load on the bed;

[0079] 2) supporting the middle of the load on the top of the tailgate;and

[0080] 3) supporting the rear of the load on the rearward support.

[0081] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made withinthe scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment(s) herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

1. A method of supporting a load on a vehicle having a tailgate with atop and with a raised and lowered position and wherein the load has afront and middle and a rear and wherein the vehicle has, in addition tothe tailgate, a bed, a front and a rear and wherein said vehicle has arearward support past the tailgate of the vehicle and where the tailgateis closer to the rear of the vehicle than the front of the vehiclecomprising the steps of: 1) supporting the front of the load on the bed;2) supporting the middle of the load on the top of the tailgate; and 3)supporting the rear of the load on the rearward support.
 2. The methodof claim 1 wherein the step of supporting the rear further comprisessupporting the rear above the level of the top of the tailgate.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the step of supporting the middle furthercomprises supporting the middle on a brace on top of the raised tailgate4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of supporting furthercomprises cushioning the load
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the bracefurther comprises a face slanting at an angle so that a plane drawn fromthe low support to the high support is approximately parallel to andabove the face.
 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the tailgate issupportable on either side by a side panel and the brace comprises amiddle support supported above the top of the tailgate supported oneither side by the side panel.
 7. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the step of securing the load to the rearward support.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 where the truck bed has a front wall and wherein thestep of supporting the front of the load further comprises supportingthe front at the intersection of the truck bed and the front wall of thetruck bed.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the truck bed has a frontwall and wherein the step of supporting the front of the load comprisesthe step of supporting the front of the load against the front wallbelow the level of the tailgate.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein thevehicles has at least one stake pocket and the step of supporting therear of the load comprises the step of supporting the load from at leastone support mounted in the at least one stake pocket.
 11. A truck bedextender for a vehicle having a front, a rear, a left and a rightsidewall and wherein said left sidewall has a left stake pocket andwherein said right sidewall has a right stake pocket comprising: (A) afirst base mounted in the left stake pocket and extending upward to adesired height; (B) a second base mounted to the right stake pocket andextending upward therefrom to a desired height; (C) a first frameworkmounted to said first base and extending rearward away from the leftsidewall; (D) a second framework mounted to said second base andextending rearward away from the right sidewall; and (E) a transomextending from the first framework to the second framework rearward fromthe rear, and wherein the truck bed extender further comprises a lowsupport located at the truck bed for holding the load at the truck bed.12. The truck bed extender of claim 11 wherein the transom has anadjustable length.
 13. The truck bed extender of claim 11 wherein thetransom is padded
 14. The truck bed extender of claim 11 wherein thedesired height of the first base and second base is between six inchesand 74 inches above said left sidewall and between six inches and 74inches above said right sidewall respectively and wherein the transom issupported by the first and second framework at approximately the desiredheight of the first and second base.
 15. The truck bed extender of claim11 wherein the stake pockets are padded.
 16. The truck bed extender ofclaim 11 wherein the first base contacts the left sidewall at a pointand wherein the point contacted is padded and wherein the second basecontacts the right sidewall at a point and the point is padded.